The wait is over for the Robbie Jay Band

August 23, 2012

It's only been about two years since the Robbie Jay Band released its debut album.

But for Robbie Jay McFarland, it seems like he's been answering forever the question, ''When's the next record coming out?"

The answer comes Saturday with the 11-track disc ''Finally.''

''We actually named it that for them (the fans),'' McFarland said.

The band - McFarland, guitar and lead vocals; Jay Hinrichs, lead guitar and vocals; Ryan Rexroad, bass and vocals; and Dan Dominic, drums - straddles the line between raucous country and whisky-soaked rockers with a southern accent and the new album continues that approach.

''We tried to strip it back just a bit, tried to put on there just what the band does, no extra instruments,'' McFarland said. ''If you hear something on there, it's someone from the band playing it.''

Fact Box

When You?Go

WHAT: Rock in the Street with Robbie Jay Band, The Hawkeyes, Jordan Robb and Andy Timko

WHEN: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday

WHERE: Outside the Wonder Bar, 100 W. Liberty St., Girard

HOW MUCH: $5

Like the band's self-titled debut, ''Finally'' was made at Ampreon Recorder with Pete Drivere, who co-produced the album with the band.

''I think felt more comfortable (in the studio) to say the least,'' McFarland said. ''We've grown to be great friends with Peter. It's kind of like going to see your buddy, sitting down with your buddy and figuring out the best sounds. Even though we named it 'Finally' because it seemed to take longer than we thought it would, we took a slower approach to find the right sound for each song.''

The band has been playing a few of the new tracks at recent live shows with ''Country Girl'' and its sing-along chorus - ''You were a small town girl I knew it all along / Drinkin' Busch Light while we're gettin' it on / All you ever wanted was to find a man / To love you like nobody can / But I knew her best and maybe I stayed too long / That girl is a country song'' - proving to be a fan favorite. But Saturday's release party show will be the first time the band plays about half of the songs live.

''We didn't want to road test all of these songs,'' McFarland said. ''With the first album, the band got going faster than the album did, and the people who bought the album already knew all the songs.''

Since the first album, RJB has expanded its base regionally, playing in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus, as well as touring the South and Southwest. It also has opened for some its idols, including Cody Canada and the Departed and Will Hoge.

For Saturday's show, McFarland said the band is planning a 25-song set with only a couple covers. And the band will be joined by McFarland's sister, Olivia Powell, and opening act Jordan Robb, both of whom sing backing vocals on ''Finally.''